In a gripping season opener that set the tone for the new Liberian Basketball Association campaign, Bushrod Bulls pulled off a dramatic 74–70 comeback victory over the National Port Authority Pythons on Saturday, sending their loyal fans into wild celebration at the Samuel Kanyon Doe sports Gymnasium.
The clash, which went into overtime after a 68–68 deadlock in regulation time, saw the Bulls overcome both internal and external odds to claim a morale-boosting win.
With many of their top players having departed during the off-season to join rival clubs, the Bulls entered the contest as underdogs. Yet, against the odds, they proved their resilience and experience when it mattered most.
Pythons controlled much of the contest after a balanced first quarter, using swift ball movement and aggressive rebounding to build momentum.
But Bushrod Bulls refused to back down. A determined second-half performance saw them claw back the deficit and force overtime, where they eventually secured a four-point margin to start their campaign on a high.
The thrilling finish sparked emotional scenes as Bushrod Bulls supporters stormed the court in celebration, reaffirming their loyalty to the team despite recent roster challenges.
Many basketball fans had doubted whether the passionate fanbase would remain as committed in light of the team’s off-season transitions. Saturday’s scenes proved otherwise.
Meanwhile, the Liberia Basketball League continued on Sunday, with a triple-header expected to keep fans entertained.
The day tipped of off at early evening with a Women’s Division clash between Desert Ladies and Highway Skylights.
The women encounter was followed by a second Division matchup pitting Bushrod Dreams against Bushrod Ballers in what promises to be a high-energy neighborhood rivalry.
Capping off the evening was the much-anticipated First Division showdown between Spartacus and Highway Kings at night.
Both sides are newly promoted, but there’s recent history between them where Highway Kings narrowly defeated Spartacus 3–2 in a tightly contested best-of-five series last season to clinch the second Division championship.
With pride and a point to prove, the tonight’s matchup was dubbed the “game of the night.”
The start of the season in basketball proved to fans that they can expect nothing short of intensity, passion, and the kind of drama that makes basketball a staple of Liberia’s sporting culture.
